Judge expected to fill Spring-Ford School Board vacancy

NORRISTOWN — A Montgomery County Court judge is expected to fill the vacant Spring-Ford Area School Board seat within the week.

Common Pleas Court Judge Bernard A. Moore heard testimony Tuesday from both Clinton Jackson and Janet Stokes, the two finalists the school board was unable to decide upon in two separate meetings last month. The pair were the only ones to file petitions for the seat.

Both Jackson and Stokes went over their qualifications again before Judge Moore, with Jackson, represented by attorney Frank Bartle, leading off.

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A senior project manager with Jacobs Engineering, Jackson has advocated the expansion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses in Spring-Ford along with approaching local business to form partnerships and “co-ops” for learning opportunities.

In 2009, Jackson ran for the school board but lost on the Republican side of the ballot by six votes and on both sides by a total sum of 79.

“I want to be a part of building the foundation. I want to be a part of that building block and guide the district where it needs to go,” Jackson said. “I’m a problem-solver. I like being involved in the community ... It’s my community. I want to help build the school district.”

As in the past, Jackson emphasized his ability to manage large budgets and projects with many different people.

A volunteer coach and member of the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA advisory board, Jackson said he’s checked out the time commitment to the school board and believes he can swing it or will adjust accordingly with the school board being his top priority.

Stokes, who served on the school board from 1997 to 2005 and on the district planning committee before that, represented herself in the hearing.

“The school board needs someone with time and experience to get through the 21 months left on the term,” Stokes said.

She hopes to add “rigor” to the district’s curriculum and advocated in her interviews before the school board a mentor system similar to the ones her sons experienced when they switched over from Spring-Ford schools to private schools for high school.

“I believe that quality education is the greatest thing we can give our children,” Stokes said. “I believe Spring-Ford is a good school district. I want to be a part of the team that will make this a great school district.”

Although Jackson said he has experience building school districts, such as a project spanning from 2000 to 2008 in Patterson, N.J., Stokes said Spring-Ford’s population has steadied and the focus moving forward should be on curriculum development.

“We’re not going to be building any new schools,” Stokes said. “That’s for sure.”

Julie Mullin, whose reluctant resignation following election to the Upper Providence tax collector’s position opened the Region II seat, was in the courtroom and prepared to speak on Stokes’ behalf. However, Moore said he wanted to “treat both candidates the same,” and Bartle said he didn’t think Mullin’s opinion should hold any sway.

Mullin sat beside her former colleague Bernard Pettit, who remains on the school board and voted for Stokes in all three of the votes the school board took.

Among the exhibits put forward by Bartle on Jackson’s behalf was a letter signed by seven members of Limerick and Upper Providence’s Republic committee. The letter was written up by Limerick Republican Committee Chairman and Limerick Supervisor Thomas Neafcy Jr.

A point of contention for some has been the fact that Stokes’ three sons attended private high schools after attending Spring-Ford for kindergarten through eighth grade.

Bartle asked her about that Tuesday.

“We gave them the opportunity to attend a private high school and they wanted to meet that challenge and rigor,” Stokes said. “I’m not going to apologize for not sending my children to (Spring-Ford Area High School).”

Jackson was not asked any questions by Stokes or anyone but Bartle and Moore.

Moore said he will take everything “under advisement” and a decision is likely to be announced later this week, meaning the next Spring-Ford Area School Board workshop meeting will feature either Jackson or Stokes.

About the Author

Frank Otto is a general assignment reporter covering Phoenixville, Limerick and Spring-Ford schools in addition to features and spot news. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Otto moonlights with the sports department on occasion. Reach the author at fotto@pottsmerc.com
or follow Frank on Twitter: @fottojourno.